April 26, 2018
Greetings!


Ask the Question?
As a former Catholic where the Eucharist is the focus of the mass every week, I wonder why we only do communion once in a while?

The difference referred to here is at the heart of what Martin Luther and later Reformers rebelled against in the Catholic Church: Is one’s faith strengthened through the mystery or the teaching? The Roman Catholic Church focuses upon the mystery of bread and wine becoming Christ’s body. The Protestant traditions focus upon the teachings of Jesus.

For Centuries, the Roman Catholic Church has recreated the experience of The Last Supper every time Mass is celebrated. The focus and purpose of the weekly service is this re-enactment. The liturgy focuses upon penitence (confession), asking for mercy, and hearing scripture as preparation for the re-enactment of the Last Supper. In this form of Christianity, the bread and wine are believed to be transformed into the physical body and blood of Christ. Unconsumed elements are kept in a tabernacle near the altar and are the object of adoration since Christ is believed to be present in these. The priest is the representative of Christ who presides at the table as Christ did at the Last Supper. Worshipers are the modern disciples – unworthy and not understanding their teacher -- receiving the body and blood of Jesus who stands before them and is their source of salvation.
 
The focus of most Protestant worship service is on the other weeks of Jesus’ ministry: the hearing and teaching of God’s ways. At the center of these services are the readings from scripture, unfolding its meaning and implementation with the intent to build discipleship participants through understanding and encouragement. In most Protestant churches, it is the Bible that is placed upon the altar (not the tabernacle). The goal of this worship is to send out disciples who carry out the teachings in their everyday lives. 

We celebrate the Last Supper less often (the first Sunday of the month at FCCLG) because our focus is not on Jesus’ preparation for death, but rather on his teachings. 
General Fund Summary
Income: $83,144.06
Expenses: $105,340.46
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Net Loss: $22,196.40

Click the image of the graph for a more detailed report!
This Week:
Friday 4/27: OA at 9 am, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 4/28: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 4/29: Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Ring & Sing / Treble Choir at 11:15 am, Finance Team Meeting at 11:30 am, Dinner and Game Night at 4:30 pm, Yzals Meeting at 6:30 pm, OA at 7 pm
Monday 4/30: Tiny Toes Music at 4:30 pm, AA for under 30s at 7 pm, AA at 8 pm
Wednesday 5/2: Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm, Carillon Handbell Choir at 7:30 pm
Thursday 5/3: Chancel Choir at 7:30 pm
Friday 5/4: OA at 9 am, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 5/5: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am, Treble Choir at 10 am, Spring 2018 Congregational Work Day at 1 pm
Sunday 5/6: Adult Education - Journey Through The Psalms at 8:30 am, Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Ring & Sing / Treble Choir at 11:15 am, Messy Church at 4:30 pm, OA at 7:00 pm
Quarterly Statements
Quarterly Statements were sent out by email or post (if we don’t have your email). Please let the office know if you have any corrections. A budget update will be coming after we close the quarter.
Google Reviews
If you love FCCLG and want to help us reach out to others, write a Google Review. This is a fast and easy way to help us grow.  Click here to get there. https://goo.gl/AEAmtP
Dinner and Game night
The Ministry of Nurture invites you to a fun filled game night with pizza in the Founders' Room this Sunday, April 29th at 4:30 pm . Games for all ages will be supplied, however feel free to bring a favorite to play.
Spring 2018 Congregational Work Day
The Property Committee invites all everyone to join us for a day of good honest work, dirty hands, and fellowship. Tasks that are needed to accomplish are primarily the clearing of leaves from the gardens as well as general sprucing up. But there are other spring cleaning opportunities as well, including for those who are handy with electricity and motors. Please mark your calendars for Saturday May 5th, from 1 to 4pm.
Adult Education - Journey Through The Psalms
May 6th we’ll begin a 4 week class which will Explore the Psalms. May 6th, May 13th, May 20th, and June 3rd. No class on May 27th! We meet at 8:30am in the Drawing Room. Join us for coffee, conversation, and Psalms!
Messy Church
Messy Church is May 6th at 4:30 pm . Our theme for April is The Holy Spirit . Come have a great time and grow in faith and in your love of others on the journey. If you want more information about Messy Church or how you can assist please contact Amanda Ries .​ Click here for the flyer. We need always need volunteers!
4:30-5:15pm: Crafts and Stories
5:15-5:30pm: Celebration
5:30-6:00: Dinner
Attracting Friends Retaining Members Nurturing Spirits
Developing Leaders   
Evening Book Club
Evening Book Club will meet on May 17 th at 7:30 pm in the Chapel Conference Room. We will read Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, described as “a novel about class and race, privilege and prejudice…with the power to provoke and entrance.”
BedsPLUS Rent Party
Each client who comes to BEDS faces an immediate housing crisis with multiple, complex causes. Last year, nearly 70% of those clients exited our program into safe, affordable housing. Help us make the community stronger by donating today or joining us at our first annual Rent Party on May 19th . Buy Tickets for the RENT PARTY! For more details view this flyer!
Stock the Pantry for Summer Coffee Hour
Help us stock the pantry by bringing in coffee and packaged cookies/crackers to be served by the Ministry of Nurture for Summer Coffee Hour. We will be focusing our collection during Coffee Hour on Sunday, May 20th ; however donations brought in when convenient for you are also greatly appreciated. 
H ooks and Needles
The meeting will be on Monday, June 4th . The knitting and crocheting ministry meets in homes in the summer at 7pm on the 4th Monday of the month, June through August. Please call Claudia Byrne at 708-205-1409 or email if you have any questions.

Summer schedule
  • June 25: Barbara Hultman - 4739 South Johnson Avenue Western Springs, IL 60558
  • July 23: Margaret Melkonian - 437 South Brainard Avenue La Grange, IL 60525
  • August 27: Mary Forester - 315 North La Grange Road Apt. 138 La Grange Park, IL 60526
Nurturing Spirits
Missions Book Discussion Group
Our next meeting will be June 4 at 7:30pm in the Drawing Room. We will explore issues of racism in our book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann.
Summer Musical Camp!
Rescue in the Night! -- Featuring Lions! Daniel! and God! Coming to Music Camp 2018. This awesome opportunity to sing, play, learn, and have fun will be July 23rd-July 27th from 2-6 p.m. Performances will be July 27th at 7pm and July 29th at 10am. See Ryan Cox, or email him at ryan@fcclg.org for registration information. Click on the image for the flyer !
UCC Summer Camps 2018
Illinois Conference UCC Outdoor Minitries sponsored events. Beyond Belief! The Universe of God! Contact 815-447-2390 or visit www.il-outdoorministries.org for more information. Click here for the full flyer.
Adult Work Trip - Texas
Our Youth have set the bar high for work trips! It's time for the adults to roll up our sleeves, grab paint brushes, hammers, and saws, and match the work of our youth! Hurricanes Harvey and Irma wreaked havoc in the neighborhoods of the South East Coast of Texas. Our Sister Churches in the region need our assistance to clean up and rebuild from these hurricanes. We'll be working in Jefferson County, TX on October 20 - 27, 2018 . We hope to have 12 adults representing our church's love in Texas. For more information on what we'll be doing, click here . An information meeting will be scheduled for early June. Watch for details.
Make People Happy – be a Wedding Officiant!
As we make our facility more available to the members of the larger community for weddings, there is an increased need for 5 – 6 people who would like to officiate at the weddings. Officiants do not need any special license or status; they need to be willing to work with a wedding coordinator and the couple to choose and perform the ceremony. Carly will offer training and resources to anyone interested. These are not volunteer positions: officiant’s fees are paid by the couple. If you are interested in helping our congregation’s bottom line by making couples, contact Carly before May 6th.
Volunteer Opportunity
Interfaith Community Partners is a non-profit organization that works with volunteers to provide rides to older adults and individuals with disabilities in the Lyons, Proviso, and Riverside Townships. Over 100 volunteers transport clients to medical appointments, therapies, and errands. We also take clients to their places of employment. There is no cost to clients, and we rely solely on private donations, grants, special events, and church support for funding. We need you! Please consider becoming a Volunteer driver. Contact us at 708-354-9328 for an information packet, or visit us on the web at www.interfaithcommunitypartners.org . Can you spare an hour a week?
Petal Pushers Volunteers Needed
Interfaith Community Partners is looking for volunteers to meet the first Thursday of each month to arrange donated flowers into small vases for older adult clients. If you can help, call 708-354-9328.
Food Pantry
In May we’re collecting peanut butter, jelly and crackers for the Second Baptist Food Pantry. Please help fill our baskets located at the entrances of the Sanctuary and Chapel! Other non-perishable foods are always welcome as well. Thanks for your generosity!
C an’t Get To Sunday Services?  
You can watch them live Sundays at 10 a.m. on the web.  Click here  to see Sunday worship streamed live and past worship services as well.  Or, check out these instructions on how to watch through your Roku Device. Contact the church office to have the worship bulletin emailed to you on Fridays. This ministry is brought to you by the estate of Ginny Palansky, and maintained by your gifts, offerings, and pledges.
Attracting Friends Retaining Members Nurturing Spirits 
Developing Partners
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  Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. Please lift these friends, family, and members in your prayers.
Emil and Maria Balz.
Fred Bell, who is recovering from leukemia.
Prayers for Jerry Byrne, as he recovers after knee replacement surgery.
Prayers for the Clayton family, as James Clayton recovers in his son’s home.
Prayers for Diana Coberly, as she goes through a tough time.
Renee Meier, who is dealing with cancer.
Prayers for Margaret Melkonian.
Petra Palmer’s granddaughter’s friend Summer who is having chemotherapy for leukemia.
Thoughts and prayers for the family and friends of Billy Payne, who died on April 15 th .
Prayers for Tom Pitman, who is living with cancer.
Prayers for Steve Roper, as he recovers from open heart surgery.
For Vera Weiss to regain her strength and fight cancer.
Those living in fear and without hope, and those who use fear to control others.